Six hotel management students held for ganja use at party
HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Narcotics Police Station (HNPS) of Eagle Force has arrested six students from the Culinary Academy of India in Begumpet for consuming ganja during a birthday party. The arrests followed surveillance based on credible intelligence inputs.
Police said 11 students had voluntarily admitted to using ganja. Subsequent urine tests conducted in the presence of their parents and college principal N Sudhakar Rao confirmed that six of them tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a banned psychotropic substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
The students were identified as Sakshi Emaliya (22), Mohit Shahi (21), Shubham Rawat (27), Carolina Cynthia Harrison (19), Aric Jonathan Anthony (21) and Loy Baruah (22) — all final-year Bachelor’s students in Catering Technology and Culinary Arts.
A case has been registered under Section 27(b) of the NDPS Act at the Hyderabad Narcotics Police Station (Crime No.10/2025). The students were counselled in the presence of their parents and college management before being sent to a government-recognised de-addiction centre for rehabilitation.
Police said the students and their parents requested that they be placed in rehabilitation and sought immunity from prosecution. “If they successfully complete the programme, the criminal case will be withdrawn as per Section 64A of the NDPS Act,” an official said.
Supplier identified; college warned over negligence
Investigators found that Jason, a resident of SR Nagar and a mutual friend of Loy and Aric Jonathan, supplied ganja to the students. Police said Mohit, earlier a student of Manipal University, Udupi, had a prior history of substance use and was transferred by his father to Hyderabad for a fresh start but continued the same habit.
Officials noted that this was not the first drug-related incident at the Culinary Academy of India. Despite earlier counselling and awareness drives, the institute has again been linked to narcotics cases. Eagle Force said the recurrence pointed to institutional negligence in ensuring a drug-free campus.
“Earlier cases were closed after counselling students in the presence of college authorities. Since the efforts had little effect, a criminal case has now been booked,” an Eagle Force spokesperson said. Surprise doping tests will continue to ensure compliance.
Parents urge vigilance and drug testing
Some parents urged schools and colleges to conduct surprise drug tests and emphasised the need for closer parental supervision. They said regular communication and emotional support were vital to prevent young people from drifting into substance abuse.
Police advised parents to observe changes in behaviour, attitude, and social circles of their children and to report any suspicious activities.
Eagle Force appeals for public cooperation
Eagle Force urged youth not to fall prey to drugs and appealed to the public to report drug-related activities. The agency cited the death of former Punjab DGP Mohammad Mustafa’s son, who reportedly struggled with addiction, as a reminder of the dangers of even “recreational” substance use.
For assistance or reporting drug-related information:
📞 Toll-Free Number: 1908
📱 WhatsApp: 87126 71111
📧 Email: tsnabho-hyd@tspolice.gov.in
All information will be kept confidential, and credible informants will be suitably rewarded.
